Dreading the fact I must now enroll in Medicare

[Target2019]

You need to decide whether you want an advantage plan or not.

And Duhh, that is the dilemma!

No post employee medical coverage, I missed that by 11 months when I got hired direct (after 13 years contract).

Wife and youngest son still need coverage, we already found them a "catastrophic" policy, actually not much worse than what we had when employed so they are ok.

Again, I don't need anything, I have never had an illness, I take no drugs, have had 2 cavities in my life. Could I get run over tomorrow, sure, but now that I'm retired I don't have to deal with the idiots trying to get to work in the morning so I figure that risk has been eliminated.

Die of a heart attack, no history on either side of the family.

I walk over 100 miles a month, gym 3X per week, stronger, healthier now than I was in my 30's. That is my health care choice!

Frick it. just going to sign up for A & B and be done, I don't have time to deal with this nonsense!!

That's one way.

I used https://boomerbenefits.com/new-to-medicare/ to review everything about Medicare at a simpler level. Sure, 10,000 words will tell you something, but I needed the videos.

My opinion is that it's worth your while to spend a quiet day reading and viewing (Medicare site, etc.) and then make decisions.

[Northern Flicker]

As long as it is your first time on an Advantage plan, you can revert back to the Medigap plan you were on during the first 12 months on the Advantage plan.

You can revert back to the Medigap plan you previously had if the insurance company still sells it. If not, then you can get any Medicare Supplement plan without underwriting, except Plans M or N.

Sure, if an insurer drops your plan you can choose a different plan. That also is true even if you have no advantage plan, and not specifically a feature of the 12-month Advantage trial period.

[ModifiedDuration]

You can revert back to the Medigap plan you previously had if the insurance company still sells it. If not, then you can get any Medicare Supplement plan without underwriting, except Plans M or N.

Sure, if an insurer drops your plan you can choose a different plan. That also is true even if you have no advantage plan, and not specifically a feature of the 12-month Advantage trial period.

What is unique to the 12-month Advantage trial period is that you just have a Guaranteed Issue Right to only go back to the plan and insurer that you were previously on.

It is only if that plan is no longer being offered by that insurer that you can go to other plans/insurers without underwriting.

[Northern Flicker]

Sure, if an insurer drops your plan you can choose a different plan. That also is true even if you have no advantage plan, and not specifically a feature of the 12-month Advantage trial period.

What is unique to the 12-month Advantage trial period is that you just have a Guaranteed Issue Right to only go back to the plan and insurer that you were previously on.

It is only if that plan is no longer being offered by that insurer that you can go to other plans/insurers without underwriting.

When the plan ceases, you get guaranteed issue rights for other plans whether you had stayed on the terminating plan or had moved to an Advantage plan in the previous 12 months.

[CrossOverGuy]

Marq1 said

I don't have time to deal with this nonsense!!

Yet you have others on this thread spending their time and energy writing to give you a lot of good and well-considered advice. Your thinking seems to be like a lot of 18- and 21-year olds who think they are immortal and thus take lots of risks in their lives --- even if you are in your 60s now. Look, you have a family too -- perhaps you don't want to leave them anything except medical bills should your good luck take a change for the worse (not wishing you anything bad, but the chance of something bad happening increases with age).

Having just Part A and B leaves you open to lots of financial bills without additional coverage. So the 2 main options most use are:

1) Part A, B and Medicare Advantage at least would keep you covered with a maximum out of pocket. Not generally recommended here, as the insurance company can deny you coverage and slow things down with preauthorization.

2) Part A, B, Medigap (either Regular G, HD-G or N) and Part D (prescriptions with a zero or low-cost plan) would keep you covered, keep you from any permanent penalties for signing up late, and have a lower maximum out of pocket liability in case something bad happened to you accident- or health-wise. You and your family won't have huge bills to worry about -- same as having house insurance keeps you worry-free about losing everything in a fire.

In spite of your dismissive (or maybe just overwhelmed) attitude, I hope you reconsider and spend some time reading about this; the book by the boomer benefits lady, or their website is excellent. If not, I hope my comments (and the others' wise advice) reaches people who do need to be informed about the indeed very complex Medicare system. We're just trying to cut through the BS with verbal machetes to make it easier to comprehend and to sign up and put coverage into action.

[mrgeeze]

I was underwhelmed enrolling with Medicare.

Given that I was mostly healthy, it ended up costing us (me and wife) almost $600 more per month when you factor Medicare, supplemental, and drug together.

I liked Obamacare much better.

[TN_Boy]

I was underwhelmed enrolling with Medicare.

Given that I was mostly healthy, it ended up costing us (me and wife) almost $600 more per month when you factor Medicare, supplemental, and drug together.

I liked Obamacare much better.

Just depends. I'm also mostly healthy. Switching to medicare will probably save us $300 to $400 a month over our previous high-quality insurance.

[mrgeeze]

I was underwhelmed enrolling with Medicare.

Given that I was mostly healthy, it ended up costing us (me and wife) almost $600 more per month when you factor Medicare, supplemental, and drug together.

I liked Obamacare much better.

Just depends. I'm also mostly healthy. Switching to medicare will probably save us $300 to $400 a month over our previous high-quality insurance.

Good point. I believe it reasonable that most folks on this forum are more likely to be wealthy than poor. Most probably are "graduating" from high quality insurance vice what I had on ACA. No doubt they will feel some kind of savings bump. Check back with us in a couple of years and let us all know how quality of care is faring since the change. That might be a big disappointment in the next few years.

[Lalamimi]

Same situation in early 2018 when I was laid off and husband was 66 ( was 64, so had 10 months). No one had a clue to help us. Found out while you have some time to get Part B, you only have about 60 days to get Part D (Rx), and can't get it until you have Part B. Go with the cheapesst, ours is now $0. Depending on what state you are in, it seems supplements can be changed annually with or with out Underwriting, and Part D can be changed annually during open enrollment. I just turned 71, and after 6 years of only wellness exams, have just been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, and neuropathy, so the fun begins. We have changed our Supplement 3 times (with underwriting, to get lower premium). Now have ACE, which is a Chubb product, but started with Mutual of Omaha (recommended by our 2 brokers), then Aenta. Brokers don't all carry the same companies, so you might shop around. You will need your letters from GM, stating the layoff and that your employee insurance was Credible Coverage. I would not touch an Advantage plan with a 10 ft poll (mainly due to hearing what they do in our later years), but your area might have some good ones. Good luck and enjoy retirement!!

[TN_Boy]

Just depends. I'm also mostly healthy. Switching to medicare will probably save us $300 to $400 a month over our previous high-quality insurance.

Good point. I believe it reasonable that most folks on this forum are more likely to be wealthy than poor. Most probably are "graduating" from high quality insurance vice what I had on ACA. No doubt they will feel some kind of savings bump. Check back with us in a couple of years and let us all know how quality of care is faring since the change. That might be a big disappointment in the next few years.

Quality of care should not change; I'll almost certainly have medicare plus supplement, seeing the same doctors, using the same networks. I was health care POA for someone with medicare and a good supplement in my area until recently and had zero problems with access or billing (it was amazing how little work I spent on billing).

If access to health care via medicare gets markedly worse for everybody over the next few years, of course I will feel that. All I know is that *in my area* recent experiences as POA for someone with medicare and supplemental insurance was very positive. Things do change, and of course we all know the healthcare system ... has issues.

As I get older, the supplement premiums will go up, of course.

[livesoft]

Quality of care should not change; I'll almost certainly have medicare plus supplement, seeing the same doctors, using the same networks. I was health care POA for someone with medicare and a good supplement in my area until recently and had zero problems with access or billing (it was amazing how little work I spent on billing).

Same for us: Nothing really changed with respect to healthcare. Same doctors, healthcare providers, offices, hospitals, pharmacists, vaccinations, appointments, and premiums.

Sure there is a small gauntlet of people sending you junk mail about how to sign up for Medicare, but most of them can be ignored. In our area we just asked friends what they used and despite all the various junk mail that one got, everybody used one of 2 major providers, so the choice was pretty simple in the end.

[mrgeeze]

Quality of care should not change; I'll almost certainly have medicare plus supplement, seeing the same doctors, using the same networks. I was health care POA for someone with medicare and a good supplement in my area until recently and had zero problems with access or billing (it was amazing how little work I spent on billing).

Same for us: Nothing really changed with respect to healthcare. Same doctors, healthcare providers, offices, hospitals, pharmacists, vaccinations, appointments, and premiums.

Sure there is a small gauntlet of people sending you junk mail about how to sign up for Medicare, but most of them can be ignored. In our area we just asked friends what they used and despite all the various junk mail that one got, everybody used one of 2 major providers, so the choice was pretty simple in the end.

"Should" is a funny kind of word.
Give it time. Even the rich will come to notice the decay of American healthcare quality.
They will just be last.... Because they are rich of course

[TN_Boy]

Same for us: Nothing really changed with respect to healthcare. Same doctors, healthcare providers, offices, hospitals, pharmacists, vaccinations, appointments, and premiums.

Sure there is a small gauntlet of people sending you junk mail about how to sign up for Medicare, but most of them can be ignored. In our area we just asked friends what they used and despite all the various junk mail that one got, everybody used one of 2 major providers, so the choice was pretty simple in the end.

"Should" is a funny kind of word.
Give it time. Even the rich will come to notice the decay of American healthcare quality.
They will just be last.... Because they are rich of course

I've noticed many changes in healthcare, some good, many not so good, being old enough to see changes over time. And while my financial resources are decent, I have friends and relatives for whom that is not true. I also have friends and relatives in the health care system, so I have their viewpoint as well.

That said, and per the topic of this thread, I think that, in general, moving to medicare will not be a bad thing for most people.

[startwithtruth]

Depending on what state you are in, it seems supplements can be changed annually with or with out Underwriting, and Part D can be changed annually during open enrollment

It's key to know what your state's rules are; I believe most states are like mine (Michigan) where you can't switch to a different supplement without medical underwriting. Everyone can switch to a different drug plan (Plan D) every year, although not enrolling in a drug plan initially makes it more expensive to add it in later years.

Another vote for the book "Medicare for Dummies" (always get the latest version); it's well laid out so that you might be able to skip a chapter once you realize it's covering a special situation which doesn't apply to you.

[ReadyOrNot]

For the original poster, if you don't take at keast the standard Medicare part A, part B, and part D, that's just like leaving money in the table. Or like some people who waive their medical insurance benefit from their employer. You already paid for Medicare, and the standard benefits are heavily subsidized. I had co-workers who never used nor intended to use the medical insurance, but most of the cost was paid by the employer, so they took it, because it was just cheap insurance for them.

At the bargain price of the Part B payment, you could probably take the highest-rated Medicare Advantage plan (which covers both part B and a part D benefit) for no additional cost. You don't care if Medicare Advantage plans aren't as good as the plans you pay extra for. At least get the cheap Medicare Advantage plan as cheap subsidized catastrophic insurance.

Hmm... After reading some more of what the OP wrote later, it looks like the OP may do something like this anyway. OK, so what's the fuss?
Just go online and sign up for the highest-rated cheap plan -- either Medicare Advantage covering poo arts A,B, and D, or parts A, B, and D in a traditional Medicare plan.

[Marq1]

I hate this.

Got A & B and had read some on part C and that is where I gave up.

But from all the posts this is the only one that actually offered some help. Part D, Medigap, sorry never made that far!

while you have some time to get Part B, you only have about 60 days to get Part D (Rx), and can't get it until you have Part B. Go with the cheapest, ours is now $0.

So yea, I see there are some $0 cost plans with high deductible but if never using who cares, but higher cost in the future for not signing up I'm for that, who knows might need some aspirin or throat lozenges someday!

Your thinking seems to be like a lot of 18- and 21-year olds who think they are immortal

Naaa, they aren't immortal, eat them for lunch every day at the gym or on the trails!

[Fat Tails]

I hate this.

Got A & B and had read some on part C and that is where I gave up.

But from all the posts this is the only one that actually offered some help. Part D, Medigap, sorry never made that far!

while you have some time to get Part B, you only have about 60 days to get Part D (Rx), and can't get it until you have Part B. Go with the cheapest, ours is now $0.

So yea, I see there are some $0 cost plans with high deductible but if never using who cares, but higher cost in the future for not signing up I'm for that, who knows might need some aspirin or throat lozenges someday!

Your thinking seems to be like a lot of 18- and 21-year olds who think they are immortal

Naaa, they aren't immortal, eat them for lunch every day at the gym or on the trails!

Actually, lots of people spent their time and effort giving you good information. You do know that you can opt out of Medicare, just like you can opt out of home fire insurance if your home is paid off. But lots of people dont need much health care until the very end of life, when they need a lot of it. My view on insurance is I am happy to pay it and I hope I never need it. And Medicare is subsidized, so you are not paying the full cost, at least not at the basic premium.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Ztx]

I was underwhelmed enrolling with Medicare.

Given that I was mostly healthy, it ended up costing us (me and wife) almost $600 more per month when you factor Medicare, supplemental, and drug together.

I liked Obamacare much better.

Could you have stayed on Obamacare? My mom has been on it for years but just became eligible for Medicare and I'm helping her figure out what to do.

[ModifiedDuration]

I was underwhelmed enrolling with Medicare.

Given that I was mostly healthy, it ended up costing us (me and wife) almost $600 more per month when you factor Medicare, supplemental, and drug together.

I liked Obamacare much better.

Could you have stayed on Obamacare? My mom has been on it for years but just became eligible for Medicare and I'm helping her figure out what to do.

Once you are eligible for Medicare you will no longer receive a subsidy on ACA.

[Ztx]

Could you have stayed on Obamacare? My mom has been on it for years but just became eligible for Medicare and I'm helping her figure out what to do.

Once you are eligible for Medicare you will no longer receive a subsidy on ACA.

Thanks! didn't know that.. she's turning 65 in May, so she was still able to enroll for 2025..will the subsidy be cut mid-year?

[ModifiedDuration]

Once you are eligible for Medicare you will no longer receive a subsidy on ACA.

Thanks! didn't know that.. she's turning 65 in May, so she was still able to enroll for 2025..will the subsidy be cut mid-year?

Yes, she will have to cancel her ACA plan in mid-year when she signs-up for Medicare.

[mrgeeze]

Could you have stayed on Obamacare? My mom has been on it for years but just became eligible for Medicare and I'm helping her figure out what to do.

Once you are eligible for Medicare you will no longer receive a subsidy on ACA.

Truth. I would RATHER have stayed on the ACA than medicare.
But, because of my age I had no choice....